UNLAWFUL OCCUPANT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 234, 15 September 1934, Page 3

UNLAWFUL OCCUPANT

leant House Entered

By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, September 14.

An unusual case was heard in the Magistrate s Court when a young Englishman, Walter Woods, pleaded guilty to being unlawfully on premises Ti e police said that a house was vacated ou August 10 by a tenant and Woods, with his wjfe and two young children, took possession without authority. Despite efforts by officers of the State Advances Department and the police they refused to move. The defendant said that he had lain unemployed for two years and recently was on sustenance. He had either to p’ay rent or starve. He was unable tn get a house and as he had to look after his family ho moved into the vacant one. “1 think there is a moral law that comes before other laws,” he said. “Even the animals know it and protect their young.” The Magistrate said he supposed that the defendant thought it all right to take possession of a State house. The defendant: No. The question is, who can afford it most? Besides, the other landlord treated me well. The Magistrate said that the defendant was really in the position of a burglar. He adjourned the case till Friday. “If you are still in occupation then,” he remarked, “I am afraid 1 must punish you.” It was stated by the defendant that he had written to the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, who had promised an investigation.